PROTECTING WISCONSIN'S BIODIVERSITY

 
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Scientific Name Common Name Global Rank State Rank Federal Status WI Status

Handsome Sedge (Carex formosa)

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Photo by Emmet Judziewicz

 

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Handsome Sedge (Carex formosa), a Wisconsin Threatened plant, is found in rich mesic woods, often on alluvial terraces or where dolomite is near the surface. Blooming occurs throughout June, fruiting throughout July. The optimal identification period for this species is late-June through early-July.

 
 
 
Identification

Handsome sedge is a graminoid, 30-70cm tall, with a gynecandrous terminal spike, 2-4 lateral spikes, 1 per node, well separated, drooping at maturity, most are pistillate except for 1-2 male flowers at base of each. Its perigynia are beakless, green, copiously red dotted, 2-ribbed with 7-12 fine veins on each face, loosely enveloping the achene, ovoid-ellipsoid, membranous, base with short stipe, apex narrowing to abrupt beak, and glabrous, achenes are substipitate. Basal sheaths are maroon, bladeless, pubescent, sometimes glabrous, others grading from maroon to green on back, white-hyaline, red dotted, and pilose on front. Blades are flat, 3-7mm wide, glabrous on adaxial surface, pilose on abaxial surface and margins.

It is most similar to Carex davisii, which has staminate flowers at the base of only the terminal spikelet, and pistillate scales with distinct prolonged awns that equal or exceed the perigynia.

Phenology and Reproduction

Rhizomatous. Blooming occurs throughout June, fruiting throughout July.

Perennial. The optimal identification period for this species is late-June through early-July.

Ecology and Associated Species

Associated species include Acer saccharum, Tilia americana, Ostrya virginiana, Carya ovata, Quercus alba, Q macrocarpa, and Cornus racemosa.

Habitat

Handsome sedge prefers rich, calcareous soils and is found in rich mesic woods, often on alluvial terraces or where dolomite is near the surface.

Avoidance Measures and Management Guidance

Avoid known individual plant locations and conduct operations elsewhere when they are least likely to cause damage. Ideally, this would involve frozen, snow-covered ground. However, in areas of the state where frozen conditions are unreliable, very dry soils late in the growing season might be the best available alternative. Consult with a biologist, if needed.

Avoid broadcast spraying of herbicides and use care with spot spraying.

Avoid direct disturbance to sensitive microsites such as seeps, cliffs, and moss-covered boulders.

Buffer management around unique microhabitats such as ephemeral ponds, seeps, etc.

Minimize disturbance to hydrology, including soil disturbance from rutting.

Maintain partial canopy to encourage woodland species, avoid closed-canopy conditions.

Wildlife Action Plan

Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) are associated with habitats (or natural communities) and places on the landscape. Understanding relationships among SGCN, natural communities and ecological landscapes help us make decisions about issues affecting SGCN and their habitat and how to respond. Download the Wildlife Action Plan association score spreadsheet to explore rare species, natural communities and ecological landscape associations

Conservation actions respond to issues or threats, which adversely affect species of greatest conservation need (SGCN) or their habitats. Besides actions such as restoring wetlands or planting resilient tree species in northern communities, research, surveys and monitoring are also among conservation actions described in the Wisconsin Wildlife Action Plan because lack of information can threaten our ability to successfully preserve and care for natural resources.

For more information, contact

Kevin Doyle
Conservation Biologist
tel:+1-608-416-3377